Happenstance1201

Hi, I'm planning to go to Korea for a few weeks. I'll be in Seoul for 6 days sometime in the last 2 weeks of May. I've mapped out an itinerary. Could you please let me know what you think? We’re planning to walk through most of the itinerary since we plan to do a lot of eating. The two things I’m really having difficulty is trying to figure out how long it takes to walk from each location to other and finding a map of the Ilhwa-dong art murals. I’d really appreciate it if I could get some input! Thanks!

Mon:
Minsokchon Villiage (Folk Villiage)

Tues:
1. Namdaemun Market
- Shopping (particularly eye glasses)
2. Itaewon (Briefly look at some stores just to get an idea)
- Itaewon Street
- Gyeongridan-gil
- Itaewon Antique Street
- Lunch
3. Myeongdong (Briefly look at some stores just to get an idea)
- Myeongdong Street – department stores and small shops/stalls
- Myeongdong Cathedral
4. N Seoul Tower
- Go up the tower around 7pm and check out the light show
5. Cheonggyechon Stream
- Walk from the Cheonggyechon Plaza to Dongdaemun Market
- Trying to catch the night view of the Plaza (Spring Tower / Candlelight Fountain), Gwangtonggyo Bridge, Ogansumun Gate, and the Wall of Hope/Wishes.
6. Dongdaemun Market
- Arrive at the market around 10pm
- Checkout the night market
- Late night dinner in Gwangjang Market

Wed:
1. 10am Dongdaemun Herbal Tour (Free 3hr Tour on the KTO website) – Might not do the entire tour
- Jegidong Station
- Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum
- Seoul Yangnyeong Market
- Gyeongdong Market
- Janganpyeong Antique Shops
2. Dongdaemun Market
- Lunch at Gwangjang Market
3. Ilhwa-dong Art Project (difficult time finding a map)
- Take some pics with the angel wings!
4. Joonang Market (Sindang-dong)
- Dinner: Gobchang and Ddukbokki
5. Seoul Fortress Wall (Changshin-dong)
- Catch the night view of Seoul. Apparently, you can see almost the entire city from this location.

Thurs:
1. Gwanghwamun Square
- Check out the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Catch the 11am English Tour (1 hr)
3. Insa-dong
- Lunch: Hanjeongsik
4. Cheongwadae (Blue House)
- 3pm tour

Friday:
DMZ/JSA Tour

Saturday:
1. Gangnam: Garosugil
2. Coex Mall (Briefly look at some stores just to get an idea)
- Kimchi Museum
3. Apgujeong-dong (Briefly look at some stores just to get an idea)
- Galleria Dept. Store
- Rodeo Street
4. Cheongdam-dong
- Cheongdam-dong Street (Briefly look at some stores just to get an idea)
5. Hongdae (Possibly get a Good Will Guide)
- Free Market
- Picasso Street
- Live Music
- Dinner

29FEB

Hello Hap, and good luck with your plans! We're just back from a short visit to Seoul and I see you've already planned my favorite things, so I don't have much to add.

We loved the USO DMZ tour a few years ago and I hope recent hostile words don't force a cancellation for your visit.

And good for you for knowing about the Blue House tour - we've done it twice but never saw other Westerners on it. It is a wonderful tour, free as you know, and they give you a ceremonial souvenir tea cup as an added courtesy.

The N Seoul Tower is a place you may find hard to leave. Each time we've gone we've lingered in the bar, gazing at the lights of Seoul below. A few beers and there seems to be no reason to stick to that carefully planned itinerary!

There is a HOHO bus (10,000W) which gives a good overview of major attractions; may be an option for visiting some further afield sites, once you've plotted things out on a map.

The view from the Admiral to the King (just opposite the American Embassy) and looking beyond to Blue House territory is my absolute favorite.
Seoul is a marvelous city; hope you have a wonderful visit!